2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies](/majors/parks-recreation-fitness/parks-recreation-leisure-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for parks, recreation & leisure studies students.
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2027 Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the parks, recreation & leisure studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies Schools
For return on investment in parks, recreation & leisure studies, no school beat Southern Utah University this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Students from in state pay about $6,962 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Utah State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $35,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Brigham Young University Provo one of the best values for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $47,596. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Students looking for strong value in parks, recreation & leisure studies will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #4. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates carry a median of $22,982 in student loans. Soon after graduation, parks, recreation & leisure studies degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $37,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western State College Of Colorado earned it the #5 place for parks, recreation & leisure studies. Set in the town of Gunnison, Western State College Of Colorado is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,318, with out-of-state students paying around $24,434. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $19,507. Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies graduates of Western State College Of Colorado earn a median of $25,903 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,507 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value parks, recreation & leisure studies schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates is $20,373. Early-career parks, recreation & leisure studies graduates make about $55,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
